How long can golden retrievers be left alone?

Question

We are thinking about getting a golden retriever puppy.

For the first couple of weeks after we get it we can stay with it all day

but then my parents will have to go to work, and me to school.

It will have to be left for 7 hours for four days a week.

We can get a crate and it will be alowed the run of our large conservatory while we are gone

before I go to school each morning and as soon as I get back I can take it for a long walk

we can also leave puppy pads for it to relieve itself on if it has to

is it alright to leave it for this long?

Thanks

Also: does anyone know how much all the vaccinations from the point of getting a puppy cost (including neutering)

thank you so much!

Answer 1

it will live

speaking of wich do you have an address

Answer 2

Water , sunlight , fertilizer are the best garden and landscaping advice I can give you on your   PPPPPEEEEEETTTTTT\

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PET !!!!!!!!!   Not garden and landscaping - Geeesssshhhhh

Answer 3

If you want to house break the puppy, you need to get a crate/kennel. Crate training is the easiest way to house break a dog. The kennel should not be too big though, a dog will not use the bathroom in its own space. For every WEEK of age (after 6 wks), the puppy can be left an hour. This is not mean and in time, the dog will go to the kennel when he wants to be left alone. Do not use it for any punishment though, that will confuse him and he will think he is being punished every time you put him there. I give mine treats as a thank you and he loves it.

Answer 4

I have a Golden Retriever -now three and a half.

With regard to your question-the breed is immaterial .O.K.Goldens can be a pretty well patient breed but to leave a dog to its own devices for a 7 hour stretch is not desirable.

You MUST organise someone (you can trust) to come in during the day and give it an outing.Not just for its physical/exercise needs but for the dog's mental well being.

Rule of thumb is this.How would you,yourself like to be locked up with nothing to do for a 7 hour stretch?

Without this you will end up with a frustrated and badly behaved dog.

As for vaccination/neutering costs I cannot advise since I don't know if you live in my area.

Answer 5

If you are interested in training your puppy to relieve itself outside, you will have to take it for a walk every two or three hours and lavish great praise upon he/she when they do their stuff where they are supposed to.

Other than that, if the puppy has a place to relieve itself during that 7 hour stretch (where you will under no circumstances scold him for doing his business) it will be fine alone for 7 hours. Just make sure it is in an area where it will be safe and not get into anything harmful and it should have plenty of safe toys to play with that you should rotate (don’t give the dog the same toys (plural) every day or it will get bored with them. Your dog should be fine. They learn to adjust to our schedules and lifestyle - if we are not neurotic about it.

As far as the spay/neutering cost goes (which I am thrilled to hear you are going to take care of) – call around your area. Ask at as many places as you can (Animal Hospitals, ASPCA, Humane Society and local pet shops) and speak to as many people as you can who have dogs.

I was able to find a facility where veterinarians went once a week to volunteer their time to spay and neuter dogs for 35 dollars.

I was a bit concerned with the low price so I sent a friend of mine who is a veterinarian to check it out (my friend could have done the neutering for me and would not have charged me but I would have had to pay for the use of the equipment, anesthesia, etc., and it would have cost more than 35 dollars). I also sent another dog owner I knew who needed to have his puppy neutered as well (he is a physician). They both told me the facility was state of the art and set up to encourage people to have their dogs spayed or neutered, so that was where I took my puppy and my physician friend took his.

You should have no problem finding a facility with a spay/neuter program at a low cost.

Vaccinations can be as low as 8 dollars at places like the ASPCA, Humane Society or even some pet/food stores have a day when veterinarians come in to give vaccinations at a low cost.

I know you are concerned about your new puppy but everything will work out just fine. And if you do your research, having a dog doesn't need to end up being an expensive proposition

Good luck and enjoy your new friend.

My dog is 9 years old now and has given me 50 years of joy. I hope I have him for 9 more years - or longer ;-))

You sound like you are being a responsible dog owner already and you haven't even gotten the dog yet - which is wonderful.